NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion baseball could not solve Georgia State's pitching as the Monarchs suffered a 4-0 setback on Friday afternoon at Bud Metheny Ballpark.
"We pitched pretty well again," said head coach Chris Finwood. "We just couldn't get a big hit. We have to come out and compete better at the plate tomorrow. Senior Days are always a lot of fun. Couple things go our way and we can get some sort of momentum hopefully."
The Panthers (29-26, 16-13 Sun Belt) built an early 3-0 lead and added an insurance run late in the game. GSU's Matt Ruiz opened the scoring with a leadoff home run in the top of the second, and Max Ryerson added a one-out, two-run home run in the third inning. The visitors added an insurance run in the eighth as Ruiz scored from second on a Jesse Donohoe ground-rule double down the right-field line.
GSU starting pitcher Rafael Acosta (3-2) recorded three strikeouts, scattered four hits and only walked one ODU batter in six shutout innings of work. Sam Armstrong (9-3) received the loss after giving up three runs on four hits and a walk while striking out three through 2.1 innings pitched. Ben Moore kept the Panthers off the board and allowed just one hit and one walk in 3.2 innings of relief, tallying four strikeouts. John Holobetz also struck out four, but was responsible for one run on four hits. Joey DeChiaro tossed a scoreless ninth, striking out a pair and issuing one walk.
The Monarchs (31-22, 14-15) had an opportunity to tie the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the second as Alex Bouche doubled and reached third on a wild pitch. ODU couldn't cash in though as Chris Dengler fouled out to third. Later in the sixth, Kenny Levari drew a two-out walk and advanced to third on a Kyle Edwards single to shallow center field. The Monarchs again came up empty however as Hunter Fitz-Gerald grounded out to short.
Edwards finished 2-for-4 with a double and Bouche went 1-for-4 with a double. Josh Trujillo hit 1-for-1, Robbie O'Neal was 1-for-2 and was hit by a pitch, and Jay Tarkenton turned in a 1-for-4 effort.
Saturday's series finale is scheduled for a noon start and marks Senior Day for the Monarchs. The team will recognize its 2023 senior class prior to first pitch.
ODU Baseball Comes Up Empty Against Georgia State on Friday
